2027 OT Nate Carson (6-5 270) of Irmo is another major talent coming out of the Yellow Jackets program this season. He has been swarmed by offers from South Carolina, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Auburn, Purdue, Missouri, NC State, Duke, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Maryland, Oregon, Georgia and Nebraska.
“It didn’t surprise me at all,” Carson said of how his recruiting has taken off. “It’s been my dream since I was a little kid. God did everything for me. I just want to thank God for what he did for me, and for him putting me in this place right now.”
More offers undoubtedly will roll in for Carson throughout the season, so at this point, he’s not closing the door on any opportunities.
“It’s still wide open,” Carson said. “I’m still searching to see new coaches I can bond with and connect with. I haven’t settled on any school yet. My recruitment is free.”
One of those coaches he has bonded with is Gamecock offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley. Carson has camped at USC since his eighth-grade year and has made several other visits for games and recruiting events. He’s gotten to know the program and Beasley quite well.
“It’s home, right down the street, Irmo pipeline,” Carson said. “They are recruiting me hard. I love Coach Teasley. He’s amazing. I talk to USC almost every day. I definitely like them a lot. He said he likes my physicalness and my feet. He said he loves my feet. I bury people.”
Teasley isn’t the only USC position coach with a fondness for Carson. Defensive line coach Travian Robertson has seen him in action as well and wants him for his side of the line.
“USC is also recruiting me for D-line,” he said. “We went down to Dreher, and he (Robertson) saw me out there on defense. He said he loved me. He said I’m an SEC D-tackle. I’m going to play any place that the coaches need me.”
Carson has also camped at Clemson and has visited for recruiting purposes. Clemson offensive line coach Matt Luke likes him a lot.
“I talk to Clemson literally every day,” Carson said. “I went down there on June 3rd and had a great camp. Just got to get my transcript in for them.”
A Clemson offer would mean a lot to Carson because he already has a strong affection for Luke.
“Coach Matt Luke, I love him. He’s a great guy,” Carson said. “He made me like Clemson a lot. I didn’t know a lot about Clemson. I didn’t even like Clemson at first. After I got to meet coach Matt Luke, he made me love Clemson a lot. He’s just a great person. Not even talking about football, he’s just a great person. He’s just a great person outside of football, and you can really tell that he cares about his players. I do train with his players. We’ve got the same trainer. He texts me every morning around the same time, and I just love him.”
Carson said Tennessee is another school that is in touch nearly every day. He said others showing serious interest include Oregon, Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, NC State, Duke, Georgia Tech and Georgia.
Carson said he is locked in for a visit to Clemson for the LSU game. He said he will be at South Carolina for the South Carolina State and/or Alabama games, and the Clemson game.